Economic

India’s top darknet dealer laundered crypto with Monero for two years

India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested a 35-year-old engineer from Kerala accused of running the country’s largest darknet drug network alone. The suspect, ‘Ketamelon,’ reportedly ran a Level 4 darknet drug operation for two years without his family knowing.

Authorities seized more than 1,100 LSD blots, over 130 grams of ketamine, and cryptocurrency assets valued at over $82,000 during the four-month investigation. The drugs were reportedly sourced from international suppliers, including a UK-based vendor believed to be the world’s largest LSD supplier.

Shipments reached cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh.

The suspect laundered proceeds using Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency designed to hide transaction details, making it popular among darknet criminals.

While privacy coins like Monero offer enhanced anonymity, experts warn they are not entirely untraceable, as blockchain ledgers permanently record all transactions.

The operation comes amid wider global efforts targeting cybercrime and crypto-facilitated illegal markets.

Recently, the US Treasury sanctioned a Russian hosting provider linked to ransomware and darknet drug sales, highlighting increasing international pressure on digital criminal networks.

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Google launches Veo 3 video for Gemini users globally

Google has begun rolling out its Veo 3 video-generation model to Gemini users across more than 159 countries. The advanced AI tool allows subscribers to create short video clips simply by entering text prompts.

Access to Veo 3 is limited to those on Google’s AI Pro plan, and usage is currently restricted to three videos per day. The tool can generate clips lasting up to eight seconds, enabling rapid video creation for a variety of purposes.

Google is already developing additional features for Gemini, including the ability to turn images into videos, according to product director Josh Woodward.

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Deepfake abuse in schools raises legal and ethical concerns

Deepfake abuse is emerging as a troubling form of peer-on-peer harassment in schools, targeting mainly girls with AI-generated explicit imagery. Tools that once required technical skill are now easily accessible to young people, allowing harmful content to be created and shared in seconds.

Though all US states and Washington, D.C. have laws addressing the distribution of nonconsensual intimate images, many do not cover AI-generated content or address the fact that minors are often both victims and perpetrators.

Some states have begun adapting laws to include proportional sentencing and behavioural interventions for minors. Advocates argue that education on AI, consent and digital literacy is essential to address the root causes and help young people understand the consequences of their actions.

Regulating tech platforms and app developers is also key, as companies continue to profit from tools used in digital exploitation. Experts say schools, families, lawmakers and platforms must share responsibility for curbing the spread of AI-generated abuse and ensuring support for those affected.

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United brings facial recognition to Seattle airport

United Airlines has rolled out facial recognition at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, allowing TSA PreCheck passengers to pass through security without ID or boarding passes. This service uses facial recognition to match real-time images with government-provided ID photos during the check-in process.

Seattle is the tenth US airport to adopt the system, following its launch at Chicago O’Hare in 2023. Alaska Airlines and Delta have also introduced similar services at Sea-Tac, signalling a broader shift toward biometric travel solutions.

The TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology was introduced at the airport in October and supports this touchless approach. Experts say facial recognition could soon be used throughout the airport journey, from bag drop to retail purchases.

TSA PreCheck access remains limited to US citizens, nationals, and permanent residents, with a five-year membership costing $78. As more airports adopt facial recognition, concerns about privacy and consent are likely to increase.

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Europe must break free from US tech giants

For years, a few US tech giants have dominated Europe’s digital infrastructure, threatening both its economy and democracy. Despite talk of ‘tech sovereignty,’ leaked reports suggest EU enforcement may be weakened in trade talks, risking public backing.

Surveys show strong support across the EU for tougher regulation of Big Tech, even at the cost of US tensions. The Digital Markets Act provides tools to challenge monopolies like Google, but enforcement remains slow and under-resourced.

Europe must take coordinated action: break up monopolies harming local media and jobs, strengthen enforcement, and invest in homegrown digital platforms. Redirecting funds from tech giants could empower startups and businesses dependent on these platforms.

Decisive political will is essential to turn tech sovereignty from rhetoric into reality. Effective regulation and strategic investment can restore Europe’s control over its digital future.

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EU PREVAIL project opens Edge AI platform to users in June

The European Union’s PREVAIL project is preparing to open its Edge AI services to external users in June 2025.

Coordinated by Europe’s top research and technology organisations—CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, imec, and VTT—the initiative offers a shared, multi-hub infrastructure designed to speed up the development and commercialisation of next-generation Edge AI technologies.

Through its platform, European designers will gain access to advanced chip prototyping capabilities and full design support using standard commercial tools.

PREVAIL combines commercial foundry processes with advanced technology modules developed in partner clean rooms. These include embedded non-volatile memories (eNVM), silicon photonics, and 3D integration technologies such as silicon interposers and packaging innovations.

Initial demonstrators, already in development with industry partners, will serve as test cases to ensure compatibility with a broad range of applications and future scalability.

From July 2025, a €20 million EU-funded call under the ‘Low Power Edge AI’ initiative will help selected customers co-finance their access to the platform. Whether supported by EU funds or independently financed, users will be able to design chips using one of four shared platforms.

The consortium has also set up a user interface team to manage technical support and provide access to Process Design Kits and Design Rule Manuals.

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Cyberattacks drain millions from hospitality sector

The booming hospitality sector handles sensitive guest information daily, from passports to payment details, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. Recent figures reveal the average cost of a data breach in hospitality rose to $3.86 million in 2024, with over 14,000 critical vulnerabilities detected in hotel networks worldwide.

Complex systems connecting guests, staff, vendors, and devices like smart locks multiply entry points for attackers. High staff turnover and frequent reliance on temporary workers add to the sector’s cybersecurity challenges.

New employees are often more susceptible to phishing and social engineering attacks, as demonstrated by costly breaches such as the 2023 MGM Resorts incident. Artificial intelligence helps boost defences but isn’t a cure-all and must be used with staff training and clear policies.

Recent attacks on major hotel brands have exposed millions of customer records, intensifying pressure on hospitality firms to meet privacy regulations like GDPR. Maintaining robust cybersecurity requires continuous updates to policies, vendor checks, and committed leadership support.

Hotels lagging in these areas risk severe financial and reputational damage in an increasingly hostile cyber landscape.

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AliExpress agrees to binding EU rules on data and transparency

AliExpress has agreed to legally binding commitments with the European Commission to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA). These cover six key areas, including recommender systems, advertising transparency, and researcher data access.

The announcement on 18 June marks only the second case where a major platform, following TikTok, has formally committed to specific changes under the DSA.

The platform promised greater transparency in its recommendation algorithms, user opt-out from personalisation, and clearer information on product rankings. It also committed to allowing researchers access to publicly available platform data through APIs and customised requests.

However, the lack of clear definitions around terms such as ‘systemic risk’ and ‘public data’ may limit practical oversight.

AliExpress has also established an internal monitoring team to ensure implementation of these commitments. Yet experts argue that without measurable benchmarks and external verification, internal monitoring may not be enough to guarantee meaningful compliance or accountability.

The Commission, meanwhile, is continuing its investigation into the platform’s role in the distribution of illegal products.

These commitments reflect the EU’s broader enforcement strategy under the DSA, aiming to establish transparency and accountability across digital platforms. The agreement is a positive start but highlights the need for stronger oversight and clearer definitions for lasting impact.

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BT launches cyber training as small businesses struggle with threats

Cyber attacks aren’t just a problem for big-name brands. Small and medium businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs, according to new research from BT and Be the Business.

Two in five SMEs have never provided cyber security training to their staff, despite a sharp increase in attacks. In the past year alone, 42% of small firms and 67% of medium-sized companies reported breaches.

Phishing remains the most common threat, affecting 85% of businesses. But more advanced tactics are spreading fast, including ransomware and ‘quishing’ scams — where fake QR codes are used to steal data.

Recovering from a breach is costly. Micro and small businesses spend nearly £8,000 on average to recover from their most serious incident. The figure excludes reputational damage and long-term disruption.

To help tackle the issue, BT has launched a new training programme with Be the Business. The course offers practical, low-cost cyber advice designed for companies without dedicated IT support.

The programme focuses on real-world threats, including AI-driven scams, and offers guidance on steps like password hygiene, two-factor authentication, and safe software practices.

Although 69% of SME leaders are now exploring AI tools to help defend their systems, 18% also list AI as one of their top cyber threats — a sign of both potential and risk.

Experts warn that basic precautions still matter most. With free and affordable training options now widely available, small firms have more tools than ever to improve their cyber defences.

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Crypto spending in Europe is rising with stablecoins leading

Crypto is gaining traction as a go-to payment method across Europe, with stablecoins playing a leading role. According to a June report from Oobit, more than 75% of crypto purchases made by European users over the past month were settled using stablecoins.

Retail and travel dominate the spending landscape. In countries like Germany, Spain, and Poland, crypto is most commonly used for food, drink, and other retail items. Meanwhile, travel expenses top the list in France, Italy, Greece, and Ireland.

Notably, over half of all crypto transactions were related to everyday shopping, with Poland alone making up a third of those purchases.

Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia are at the forefront of stablecoin adoption. Poland led the region, with over 30% of Oobit’s retail crypto transactions occurring there—most settled in USDC.

Lithuania also showed strong growth, particularly in euro-backed EURR transactions, which have doubled recently. Supportive regulation across these nations, including MiCA-compliant laws, is encouraging the trend.

The findings reflect a wider transition in how crypto is used. Instead of serving purely as an investment, digital currencies are increasingly woven into daily financial activities, showing their value in practical, real-world scenarios.

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